August 30, 2009

So what happens when Spike Lee gives a block party in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park in honor of Michael Jackson’s birthday? 10,000+ crazy devoted fans show up to reenact scenes from Beat It, sing at the top of their lungs, share their love for the King of Pop and celebrate his 51st birthday. We know he isn’t laid to rest yet and it’s been weeks since that fateful day we heard of his passing…but in all the tributes, and after several replays of his tunes, it’s clear that at least here in Brooklyn, we will never tire of Michael Jackson.

I was absolutely crushed when I learned of his death. Cried for weeks. I grew up with him. He was older than me, of course, but he was one of the first kids I saw on television. I thought he was magic. Had a voice of an angel. Danced like no one I had ever seen. And I wanted to play in his gigantic afro. There is no one like Michael. There will never be another Michael.

I hear there’s a movement for Brooklyn to celebrate Michael Jackson Day every August 29th. Brooklyn lawmakers are also attempting to get the Hoyt-Schermerhorn subway station renamed after Michael Jackson. He and Martin Scorsese shot the 16 minute Bad video there. Anyway, pics –

July 12, 2009

Occasionally I love to laugh at my grandmother-Winnifred’s tendency to walk down the aisle. Here’s a late-1970s snapshot of myself with cousins, as bridesmaids…in my grandmother’s second wedding somewhere in Boston, Massachusetts. Little did we know there would be a third one! Don’t worry, it’s not an Elizabeth-Taylor-situation…it’s just that all her husbands died before her. And I promise you there was no foul-play involved!